Any win is better than the alternative, even an ugly one goes down in the win column. On Saturday, Clemson got one of its uglier wins in recent years downing Georgia Tech 14-8 at Death Valley.
The Clemson defense was again up to the task, they still have not allowed a TD this season. They held Georgia Tech to an average of less than three yards per carry to 3 of 14 on 3rd down.
Clemson would get on the board first with a 3 yard TD run from Will Shipley. That capped off a 1st quarter drive of 39 yards on 8 plays. It was a drive set up by the defense stopping GT deep in their own territory and flipping the field position. As time expired in the 1st half, Tech would get a 22 yard Field goal. That field goal came after a 14 play, 66 yard drive. The game saw a lengthy weather delay late in the 2nd quarter. Clemson would lead 7-3 at the half.
Neither offense could get any traction in the 3rd quarter. Clemson scored early in the 4th quarter, when Shipley found pay dirt for his 2nd rushing TD on the day. It was Clemson's longest scoring drive of the game, chewing 4 1/2 minutes, going 66 yards on 12 plays. That would give Clemson a 14-3 lead.
Georgia Tech would put together a long methodical drive of nearly 7 minutes and 70 yards, that led to another Cimaglia FG. That made the game 14-6 Clemson with 1:19 left. The closing moments were compelling or frantic depending on perspective. GT recovered an on side kick and worked themselves into a goal to go situation. The Clemson D would stand tall as James Skalski made the stop on 4th and goal.
Clemson took over on downs in the shadow of their own goal line. It what was seen as a controversial decision by some fans, Clemson took a delay of game penalty trying to draw GT offsides. Clemson then avoided complete disaster as Will Shipley fumbled in his own end zone but recovered. That resulted in a Clemson safety to cut the lead to 14-8. Clemson would kickoff one last time but Georgia Tech couldn't make a play late and Clemson would hold on to win 14-8.
The Clemson offense was held to under 300 total yards. Clemson did outrush GT 158 to 106. The passing game was lackluster throwing for just 126 yards, while the Jackets threw for 203. Clemson QB D.J Uiagalelei was efficient going 18 of 25 but averaged just five yards per completion. Clemson fans took to social media Saturday night to voice their frustrations with the offense. Many Clemson fans feel the play calling of Offensive Coordinator Tony Elliott was overly conservatives, uninspiring and lacked imagination.
All in all it amounts to an ugly win and keeps Clemson's season goals still in play. But it does show that the Tigers have work to do as the season rolls on. Clemson heads to Raleigh Saturday to take on N.C. State for a 3:30 kickoff.
